Catholic leaders in Nigeria’s Otukpo Diocese are appealing for prayers following the kidnapping of a priest last week. Source: OSV News.
Fr John Inalegwu Otache, pastor of St Margaret Parish in Ajegbe–Awume, was abducted on October 13 while returning home from the town of Otukpo in Benue State after reportedly encountering armed kidnappers on a local road.
“It is with great sadness that we write to notify you of the kidnap of one of our priests,” said Fr Joseph Aboyi Itodo, chancellor of the diocese, in a statement October 15.
Pontifical charity Aid to the Church in Need International said it has received word of the kidnapping of Fr Otache “with great concern”.
“We call on all our benefactors and people of good will to pray that [Fr] John be released immediately and unharmed,” the organisation said in a statement on X.
The kidnapping has distressed the Church in the area, with Otukpo Archbishop Michael Ekwoy Apochi expressing deep sadness over the development and appealing “to all Christ’s faithful within the Diocese and people of goodwill everywhere to fervently pray for the safe and speedy release” of Fr Otache.
Meanwhile, “concerted efforts are being intensified to secure his freedom,” said the diocesan statement signed by the chancellor.
The diocese said it was entrusting Fr Otache, and all others held captive by kidnappers across the country, to the powerful intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The priest becomes yet another member of the clergy to be kidnapped in Nigeria. The West African country is gripped by a security crisis where armed men locally known as bandits carry out mass kidnapping of all people, including women and children, for ransom.
At least 7825 people were kidnapped in 1713 incidents in Nigeria between July 2025 and June 2026, according to the International Centre for Investigative Reporting.
In December 2025, ACN reported that at least 212 Catholic priests had been kidnapped in the wave of violence affecting the whole of the country.
The kidnapping has occurred in at least 41 of the country’s 59 dioceses and archdioceses. Out of this number, 183 were released or escaped, 12 were murdered and three died from trauma and injuries sustained during the period of captivity.
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Another priest kidnapped amid Nigeria’s security crisis (By Fredrick Nzwili, OSV News)
